Noise
Construction sites are noisy places. Today, as a result of noise exposure, thousands of construction workers are hearing impaired, and thousands more are destroying their hearing through everyday work in the industry.
Research shows that hearing loss is a gradual and irreversible process. Without the use of audiometric tests, few workers will realize that they are losing their hearing until it is too late. This is why the LHSFNA recommends comprehensive hearing conservation programs on all construction worksites, despite the fact that OSHA currently requires only minimal protection.
Controlling noise is a challenge for construction contractors. Based on experience and feedback from contractors, Laborers and professionals across North America, the Construction Noise Control Partnership is assembling a Best Practices Guide. The project is a living document. Click on the headings at right to see where it now stands. Click here to see or print the entire document. |
Contents |
Improving hearing conservation programs in construction a top priority. The Fund sponsored the first national conference on the issue and facilitated the formation of the national Construction Noise Control Partnership to advance best practices. It also provided written testimony to OSHA opposing the agency’s reversal of an earlier decision to require separate record keeping of hearing loss injuries on the OSHA Form 300 (Hearing Tests Confirm Stance), and it urged OSHA to require hearing protection for workers, not based on time-weighted average noise exposures, but on the noise levels of specific tasks and specific areas (BCTD Response to OSHA's Notice of ANPRM).
The Fund also provides training in the proper use of hearing protection. It provides a model program, Hearing Conservation for Construction Workers, to guide contractors and their safety officers in the establishment of company hearing conservation programs, and, when a signatory employer asks, the Fund’s OSH Division staff supports the model program with on-site consultation and testing.
Noise
A Summer of Challenges and Victories for Worker Safety and HealthListen Up During World Hearing Day
Common Chemicals Create Risk for Hearing Loss
Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Heart
Don’t Rely on Backup Alarms to Stop Backovers
“What Did You Say?” More People Than You Think Have Hearing Loss
Avoiding Hazards During Landscaping Work
How’s Your Hearing? Your Phone Can Tell You
Your Input Sought…
Health Hazards Require OSHA's Attention
"What Are the Chances?"
Disturbing Link: Hearing Loss and Dementia
High Blood Pressure: Healthy Living Reduces
Risk, Minimizes Effects
5 Minutes Could Cost You … Your Hearing
Message from the Co-Chairmen (Fall 2014)
Demolition Safety Requires Careful Planning
Noise: Harmful to Hearing, Harmful to Blood Pressure
Noise Resource Links
Where can I find information about noise and its health effects?
Quieting Your Construction Site
Protecting Yourself from Noise in Construction (OSHA)
The Effects of Briefly Removing Hearing Protection (HSE)
Where can I find information to help me control noise exposure?
NIOSH Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention page
OSHA Technical Manual -- Noise
NASA Buy-Quiet Process Roadmap
Quieting Your Construction Site
Noise Control (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
E-A-R Hearing Conservation
Equipment Noise Database (European Union, 2005)
Searchable Database for Power Tool Noise Levels
Control Guide: Management of Noise at Work (Canberra (AUS), 1991)
How loud is it? (II) The Noise NavigatorTM database of over 1700 noise sources
New York City Noise Control Products and Vendors
New York City Vendor Guidance Document for Smaller Construction Jobs
Where can I find additional reference information about noise?
Action on Hearing Loss (Great Britain)
Construction Noise Control Partnership
Construction Noise Control Partnership Resource Links
TWA Calculator (EARLAB)
NASA Acoustical Testing Lab (ATL)
NASA Auditory Demonstration Lab
Noise Levels of Construction Tools
Construction Industry Hearing Loss Prevention (British Columbia, Canada)
Reports/Statistics for Hearing Loss Prevention (British Columbia, Canada)
Noise
A Summer of Challenges and Victories for Worker Safety and Health (August, 2019)Listen Up During World Hearing Day (March, 2019)
Common Chemicals Create Risk for Hearing Loss (June, 2018)
Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Heart (May, 2018)
Don’t Rely on Backup Alarms to Stop Backovers (March, 2018)
“What Did You Say?” More People Than You Think Have Hearing Loss (April, 2017)
Avoiding Hazards During Landscaping Work (July, 2016)
How’s Your Hearing? Your Phone Can Tell You (March, 2016)
"What Are the Chances?" (April, 2015)
High Blood Pressure: Healthy Living Reduces
Risk, Minimizes Effects (January, 2015)
5 Minutes Could Cost You … Your Hearing (December, 2014)
Message from the Co-Chairmen (Fall 2014) (October, 2014)
Demolition Safety Requires Careful Planning (October, 2014)
Noise: Harmful to Hearing, Harmful to Blood Pressure (October, 2014)
Five Useful Apps for Construction Laborers (April, 2014)
Disturbing Link: Hearing Loss and Dementia (October, 2013)
Your Input Sought… (August, 2012)
Momentum Slows at OSHA (March, 2011)
Health Hazards Require OSHA's Attention (September, 2010)
The Longer You Work, the Less You Hear (July, 2005)
Noise
- 52 stories
Giving Effective Toolbox Talks (January, 2014)
Avoiding Hazards During Landscaping Work (July, 2016)
Occupational Safety and Health Risks of Fracking Operations (October, 2013)
Common Chemicals Create Risk for Hearing Loss (June, 2018)
Demolition Safety Requires Careful Planning (October, 2014)
Don’t Rely on Backup Alarms to Stop Backovers (March, 2018)
Five Useful Apps for Construction Laborers (April, 2014)
Noise: Harmful to Hearing, Harmful to Blood Pressure (October, 2014)
New Posters Augment Hearing Conservation Efforts (February, 2006)
How’s Your Hearing? Your Phone Can Tell You (March, 2016)
Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Heart (May, 2018)
What has the Obama Administration Done on Occupational Safety and Health? (October, 2012)
A Summer of Challenges and Victories for Worker Safety and Health (August, 2019)
From Head to Toe, Safety Your Should Know: Hearing and Vision (September, 2007)
Clearing the Air on Respirator Compliance (November, 2013)
Composer Uses Music to Elucidate Tinnitus (January, 2006)
Getting a Sound Fit with Earmuffs (July, 2005)
Message from the Co-Chairmen (Fall 2014) (October, 2014)
Disturbing Link: Hearing Loss and Dementia (October, 2013)
“What Did You Say?” More People Than You Think Have Hearing Loss (April, 2017)
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